We asked readers what gave them hope in 2016. They restored our faith in humanity

By Thom Patterson and Brian Ries, CNN

Updated 8:30 AM ET, Wed December 14, 2016

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For more about the events of 2016, go to our Year in Review special report at CNN.com/2016

(CNN)Sorry 2016, you were a complete garbage fire of a year. Wars. Natural disasters. A divisive election.

So, inspired by artist Matthew Chavez's wall of sticky notes at a New York City subway station, we asked you, the readers, to share with us your bright spots of the year. We asked you to use the hashtag #yearofhope on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and tell us what gave you hope in 2016.